The best drum kits in the world today

11th Jan 2013 | 09:00

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The best drum kits in the world today

From mid-priced kits to custom pro sets

This is a constantly updated gallery of the best drum kits on the planet - from mid-priced kits to custom pro sets. Scroll through the gallery for an overview of some of the highest-rated drum kits in the MusicRadar archive.

Sonor Force 2007 Rock drum kit

£905

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Sonor's reputation for providing excellent quality instruments extends to the lower end of its range as well as the custom kits. The manufacturing quality of the Force 2007 is excellent, with fetching finishes and well-designed and well screwed-together drums once again redefining 'mid-range'.

Yamaha Rock Tour kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Hayman Showman Big Sound drum kit

£999

MusicRadar’s verdict

The original Hayman was a pro set, played by many of the big stars of the day. This new version is a 'semi-pro' compromise. But with its distinctive lugs, white interiors, and loud, bright sound, the kit honours the spirit of Hayman and we'd recommend anyone trading up to their first serious gigging kit to check it out.

Gretsch Renown Maple drum kit

£1,179

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Gretsch has come up with a kit that combines classic looks with the sort of sound quality and build standard that will both appeal to and cope with the energy levels of younger drummers. For the price-point it's well equipped and has the added lustre of the brand's heritage. An equivalent Gretsch USA Custom kit is four times as expensive and, while the Renown Maple is not going to match it for sheer ﬁnesse, it's nonetheless a pretty versatile set of drums.

Drumcraft Series 8 Maple drum kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Premier Genista Maple and Genista Birch drum kits

£1,336

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Bringing back the highly-regarded Genista with its distinctive lug is a positive move. The Taiwanese build-quality and finish seem excellent along with the updated choice of American maple or American birch, with or without ISO mounts.

C&C Drum Company Player Date drum kit

£1,775

MusicRadar’s verdict:

There is an unpretentious and honest feel to this kit that is appealing. The drums are based on uncomplicated designs, are well made from quality materials and sound utterly fantastic. The simplest of recipes can also be the tastiest.

DW Performance Series drum kit

£1,780

MusicRadar’s verdict:

DW seems to have got the Performance Series spot on. The kit is located ﬁrmly in pro territory; the standard of the shells and components is unquestionably high and the usual DW details abound. While being distinctive enough to stand alone from other DW products they are clearly DW drums. Without testing the drums alongside a custom DW kit it's hard to say how they differ tonally, but the sheer quality of the sound they produce is on the money.

Spaun Custom drum kit

£1,799

MusicRadar’s verdict:

For a custom drum-maker, moving into more affordable pastures is a tricky manoeuvre to pull off without diminishing the brand's core qualities and reputation. The TL kit succeeds because it feels and sounds every inch a Spaun set of drums - the design, attention to detail and performance is unmistakable.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

RCI Starlite acrylic drum kit

£2,779

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Handmade in America, RCI have the most solid and resonant acrylic shells we've seen. Additionally, the range of colours and patterns is massive, while the prices - considering American custom drums are never cheap - are realistic. The attack is sharp, the tone exceptionally pure. It's a slightly different sound from wood and metal, but not as much as you might imagine.

Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit

£2,799

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Tama's reputation suggests that it would never rush into a decision and a great deal of preparation has clearly taken place before the transferral of the production of one of its flagship lines to China. It has all the components of a fully-fledged pro kit - solid build, quality components, careful detailing and amazing sounds - just like the more expensive kit it replaced."

Pearl Masters Premium Legend drum kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Chequerplate Drums LED Series drum kit

£3,352

MusicRadar’s verdict:

A visually-stunning, aurally-pleasing kit that delivers in spades on many levels. The price tag may frighten some, but you are paying for supreme quality, and if it's a custom-made kit offering something a little different that you're after, this would be a top choice.

Liberty Drums Maple Shell Pack

£3,954

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Even in this continuing recession, it seems there is little to dampen our thriving custom UK drum industry. The level of build quality is excellent with some beautiful machining/finishing on those particularly thin shells.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Pearl Ian Paice Signature Kit

£4,999

MusicRadar’s verdict:

This is one imposing kit (cymbals, drums and hardware et al), with its exemplary build quality and fantastic sound. It is also highly collectable, so I think I would get those skates on and grab one while you can!

Tama Star Bubinga drum kit

£6,514

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Two grand for a bass drum is scary. But Tama has gone to great lengths to achieve its goal of maximum shell resonance and woody tone via a series of ingenious solutions which call on the old and the new.

DW SSC drum kit

£8,564

MusicRadar’s verdict:

In a marketplace which is populated by an ever-growing number of custom drum builders, DW drums still stand out. The company's reputation has been built on its quality of workmanship, level of innovation and willingness to react to drummers' needs. This kit scores full marks on all three of these criteria. A fourth - its sound - also bags maximum points.